HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE The best partnerships are forged through friendship, and the German Air Force reached out to Alamogordo Wednesday by inviting Mayor Susie Galea to tour its facilities.

Col. Armin Havenith, Commander of the GAF Flying Training Center and other GAF officials met with Galea to discuss their relationship with the community.

"I believe that they were just as excited to meet with me as I was to meet with them," Galea said.

The GAF gave an overview of their missions in the United States, as well as the resources they utilize to accomplish their missions. The GAF officials also discussed their economic impact in the community.

"The most important part (of the tour) was their slideshow presentation where they talked about what they bring to our local economy," Galea said.

According to the GAF, 1400 German citizens live in Alamogordo in about 500 households.

"They have many that rent homes here, and without them we wouldn't be able to look at growth," Galea said. "They are an asset to the community. I saw that in many ways in the slideshow."

The GAF FTC also employs around 60 local personnel who are paid a total of $2.8 million annually.

"I didn't know they employ people from the community. That was interesting to learn." Galea said.

During the meeting, the GAF officials also spoke of plans to move the annual Oktoberfest to the county fairgrounds. Havenith said the move was suggested simply to make it easier for more locals to participate in the festivities.

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"I see the potential for growth and it bringing in other citizens from other communities and that's great economic impact for our community," Galea said. "Not only would people be joining the Oktoberfest at our fairgrounds but they may stop at our local restaurants and hotels."

During the tour, Galea was able to sit in the cockpit of a Tornado fighter jet while Havenith explained some of its features.

"I was excited to see all the instruments that they use to fly and navigate a plane," she said. "I was tempted to push a lot of buttons, because there were just so many there."

Galea also got to witness three fighter jets take off and said the Tornado was an impressive jet.

The GAF took Galea's experience of the Tornado to the next step when they allowed her to fly a simulator program that the GAF pilots train with. She had a great take off and did well flying, but crashed it on landing.

The GAF simulator instructors said that landing a jet is one of the hardest things to do. However, they were impressed with how well Galea handled the simulator.

"The simulator was very real," she said. "I didn't expect to see the layout of Alamogordo as I was flying in the simulator. It was very realistic."

Galea said she wished everyone could take a tour of the GAF facilities. Since not everyone can, she wanted people in the community to know that the GAF are great allies to have.

"It is my hope that the German Air Force feel welcome in the city of Alamogordo," she said. "we want them to stay for as long as they can. They really enhance our quality of life."Contact Janessa Maxilom at jmaxilom@alamogodonews.com. Follow her on Twitter @janessa_speaks